Interviews, Discologist Kevin Hill Interviews, Discologist Kevin Hill

In Conversation: Rich Ruth

On ‘Water Still Flows’, veteran of the Nashville indie rock scene Mike Ruth has built upon the sounds of his critically acclaimed 2020 release “I Survived, It’s Over” to deliver a brash, beautiful, and spiritual explosion of sound unlike anything you've heard this year. Ruth discusses the new album, thoughts on making art with the tools available, and more on this edition of Discologist.

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Sonny Stitt's "Satan" PLUS! Music We Love From Psalm One, Rich Ruth, And More!

We’re kicking off Season 11 with a THICC episode packed full of great music!

Depending on who you ask, saxophonist Sonny Stitt is either one of the most revered players in jazz history or the guy who never said no to a session, no matter how schmaltzy. Over his career he played on hundreds of albums and we’re diving deep into one of his best, 1974’s Satan!

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Episode 361: Mr. Jukebox - Joshua Hedley

Over the past few decades Country has dominated the music industry by embracing pop and hip-hop sensibilities, which makes Joshua Hedley's debut album Mr. Jukebox all that more refreshing. Forget "saving" country music, Hedley is merely laying down some great storytelling with a little twang, a time-tested recipe for feeling good, even if you're feeling bad. Kevin, Marcus, and Eduardo are taking a spin with this surprise hit of 2018, so come along for the ride and feel the love!

PLUS! Philadelphia, PA's Hop Along is back with a new record - Bark Your Head Off, Dog - and it's giving Eduardo ALL of the feels so we're spinning a track to get your heart swelling along with him. 

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Episode 358: Port Saint Joe - Brothers Osborne

On their sophomore LP Port Saint Joe, Brothers Osborne has pulled off the rare feat of being EXACTLY as good as the hype makes them out to be. Good times, sick jams, with copious amounts of whiskey, weed, and Willie all make this "country" album one of the years best releases whether you believe in Nashville or not. 

PLUS! We've got some thoughts on the current state of Country Music journalism, Kendrick's Pulitzer, and Washington state's The Moondoggies are back from the cosmos with a new album and a new single to go along with it!

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Episode 353: Golden Hour - Kacey Musgraves

On Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves is dialing back the humor and turning up the heart to deliver what many are saying is her best work to date. Is this latest collection of genre-defying, lane-shifting "country" songs the future of Musgraves, or just a stepping stone on the way to something better? We've assembled a panel of Musgraves superfans to find out.

PLUS! Jazz Bassist songwriter Nicole Saphos is classing up the #DCMusic joint and we've got a taste of her groovin' new EP Buzz and Bloom to get you hip.

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Episode 336: Wide Open Spaces - Dixie Chicks

Before they were country music's most "controversial" superstars, the Dixie Chicks ruled the charts with their savvy mix of bluegrass, country, and pop. On our latest episode, we're digging into the trios finest hour and the record that jump-started their career, 1998's iconic Wide Open Spaces. 

What was the legacy of this monster crossover hit on not just country music, but pop and rock? Why has endured as not only a classic, but a standard-bearer for excellence? Eduardo, Marcus, and Kevin are asking these questions and more as we dive deep into one of the biggest albums in country music history. 

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Episode 317: All American Made - Margo Price

In 2016 Nashville's Margo Price garnered nationwide attention with her debut album Midwest Farmers Daughter. Released on Jack White's Third Man Records, Daughter harkened back to a "purer" form of country music (Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton) that immediately struck a chord with the Saving Country Music crowd and music criterati alike. 

All American Made, Price's sophomore release, finds the Nashville staple not just sticking to her country bona fides but speaking out about some of the pressing social issues that we all face in 2017. We're digging deep into this civic-minded salvo to find out if Price hits her mark, or if she has fallen victim to the dreaded sophomore slump.

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Episode 315: On The Rocks - Midland

If Country Music is king in 2017, then the gentlemen of Midland have got their eyes on the throne. Kevin and Marcus K. Dowling (Vice, Decades) are diving deep into the debut album from one of Nashville's latest, and greatest exports. They've got the song of the year ("Drinking Problem") but are Midland one-hit-wonders, or is there more to this band than the machine that they are a product of typically turns out.

PLUS: Positive No is BACK, and sounding better than ever. Hang out as we spin "Y.A.A.Y.Y.," their most excellent new single from their most excellent new album, Partners In The Wild!

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Episode 309: Poor David's Almanack - David Rawlings

David Rawlings has made a career out of being the literal best. His work with Gillian Welch and under the moniker of The Dave Rawlings Machine isn't just a shining example of how "pure" music can succeed; it is peerless. With Poor David's Almanack,  Rawlings and crew are growing up (the Machine is no more) and digging deep into the traditions that continue to shape their musical direction and legacy.

PLUS! The duo of Penny & Sparrow is taking Nashville, and the world by storm with their pop/folk sensibilities and stunning harmonies. Get acquainted with the track "Double Heart" off their latest LP, Wendigo, out now!

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Episode 306: Purgatory - Tyler Childers

Tyler Childers is a new voice in a long line of artists being saddled with the title of "saviour of country music." Does his latest LP Purgatory have what it takes or is this just another transmission from a tone-deaf industry that doesn't realize country can never die? Marcus K. Dowling and Eduardo Nunes join Kevin in the basement to discuss.

PLUS! If making your album in public is the hot new thing, why isn't anyone giving Washington, DC's Beauty Pill at least some of the credit? Then, dudes supreme Futurebirds cover an Aimee Mann classic, and we've got a listen.

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Episode 304: London Southern - Jim Lauderdale

Jim Lauderdale may not be a household name, but he should be. With twenty-plus years in the industry behind him and a staggering twenty-seven albums under his belt, Lauderdale isn't just the real deal; He is legend. 

London Southern takes the country-music veteran back to the music that first inspired him, inviting the listener along on a journey of reflection on and celebration of timeless art that shapes the musical landscape to this day.

PLUS! Ben Sollee is back and he's got a killer new album to show for it! Check out "Pieces Of You" off of the Kentucky native's latest Ben Sollee and Kentucky Native.

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Episode 291: The Nashville Sound - Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit

From his stint with the legendary Drive-By Truckers, to a run of solo albums with his band the 400 Unit, it's always been clear that Jason Isbell is a master songwriter. With 2013's Southeastern, a newly sober Isbell was embraced by the world at large and has been winning awards and selling out shows ever since. 

On The Nashville Sound, Isbell is putting his band front and center and delivering some of the strongest songs of his career...except one. Join Kevin, Paul, Eduardo, and Marcus (Dowling) as they dig deep into this national treasure's latest, consider the art of songwriting, and take a serious look at what being woke in 2017 can, and should mean. 

PLUS! We've got a killer track of of Mink's Miracle Medicine's debut LP, House Of Candles! Fans of Neko Case/Patsy Cline... GET IN HERE!

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Episode 284: From A Room: Volume 1 - Chris Stapleton

After years of working in "the biz," in 2015 songwriter Chris Stapleton finally staked his claim as one of the biggest names in Nashville with his debut LP, Traveller. Now he's back for round two with super-producer Dave Cobb in tow and one of the most legendary rooms in recording history to help guide the way.

Has Stapleton deliver another mega-hit for the country machine, or is his sophomore effort something else completely? Eduardo and Marcus are joining Kevin in the basement to work through the masterful, yet often frustrating, next step for one of music's most powerful voices. 

PLUS! Set the wayback machine to 2004 and check outJason Isbell (That Nashville Sound, Southeastern) singing about crystal meth in a backyard in Richmond!

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Episode 266: Trophy - Sunny Sweeney

Streaming radio mainstay Pandora has finally revealed their Spotify/Apple Music competitor. Built on the ashes of Rdio, and released well into these streaming wars, will Pandora Unlimited change the game or is it too little, too late? We've got some thoughts.

Sunny Sweeney has made some damn fine country music in her relatively short career. On her latest LP Trophy, she's walking the fine line between growing up and keeping her "bad girl" edge and the result is her strongest album yet. 

PLUS! Senders hail from VALHALLA..err...Boston, and features our good friend Casey Ray on vocal duties. Get ready to rock with a taste of their new self-titled LP.

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Episode 236: PODJAM - Country Music

IT'S PODJAM TIME!

On our latest abuse of the podcast format, Casey Rae, Marcus Dowling, a bottle of rye, and a whole lot of AMERICA join Kevin in the basement to work through this thing we call COUNTRY MUSIC.*^

* Length of podcast may require use of vacation time
^ Pick-up truck not required for general enjoyment

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Episode 44: Interview with Diarrhea Planet / Drive-By Truckers - English Ocean

In this episode Kevin sits down with the dudes of DIARRHEA PLANET to talk four guitar shredding action, pop music in an indie world, Nashville, and more gear than anyone has any business knowing about, much less can fit on a pedal board. PLUS! Kevin and Paul discuss “English Oceans”, the latest from seminal Southern rockers the Drive-By Truckers. Is it time to roll the credits, or does the band have another modern classic on its hands? Listen in to find out. 

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